Here is Paul's race schedule for the next few weeks:

- July 2 - Salamanca - 200m

- July 9 - Thessaloniki - 200m

- July 12 - Cork - 100m & 200m

- July 20 - Dublin (Irish Championships) - 100m

All the best to Paul!

From an email from Paul

All has gone well this month. I ran a 100m in my first race in Malmo. I won it and got a good preparation for the bigger meet in Oslo. I was running into a strong headwind so the time was slow.

My second race was a 200m at the big Golden League meet in Oslo. I ran excellent and came 2nd in 20.48 which is by far the fastest I have ever ran in June. I beat some really good athletes who had a few races under their belts already.

My next race was the 300m in Ostrava. I came 2nd to the Olympic and World 400m champion, Jeremy Wariner. My time of 32.47 was a new Irish record by almost a second. It confirmed to me that my strength and stamina work is starting to pay dividends.

My last race was a 100m in Tallinn at the weekend. I won the race and ran a solid 10.30 which I am pleased enough with.

Here's a summary:

- Jun 3 - Malmo - 100m - 1st 10.82 (wind -3.7)

- Jun 6 - Oslo - 200m - 2nd 20.48 (wind +0.4)

- Jun 12 - Ostrava - 300m - 2nd 32.47 Irish Record

- Jun 21 - Tallinn - 100m - 1st 10.30 (wind +2.1)

Paul.

What a great month's results! Some fantastic times and yet another new Irish Record for Paul! Congratulations!

Watch this space for more of Pauls race schedules and results as he continues his preparations for the Olympic games.

From an email from Oli

I took part in the World MTB champs last week in Italy and folowing my top 10 at the previous World Cup race in Scotland I came in 10th, just off my personal best finish of 9th in 2005.

After rain early in the week in was a red hot 30 degress on race day and with a super tough course featuring steep climbs and tech descents it was going to be a hard day out. I started well and after 2 laps had moved in 10th place but then overshot a corner and ended up crashed big time into the bushes. After the spectators pulled me out (by my feet) I got going again, lucklily the only major damage been my ripped shorts.

I had slipped back to 20th but over the next hour moved back up to the top 10.

With my two top 10 results in the last 2 weeks my position in the GB team for the Olympics is now confirmed.

.Thanks for your support,

Oli

Great news for Oli! Congratulations on your GB Team place!

Reading's FX3 saw Nick Osipczak storm through late-replacement Nigel Whitear in 1:55 of round 1.

Whitear pushed the pace early on, to no avail though, as he quickly found himself on his back. Osipczak was patient once grounded, throwing kees to the ribs of Whitear before sliding across to take mount position. Osipczak rained down heavy blows and short elbows to Whitear forcing an attempted escape. Whitear turned giving up his back and the rear naked choke that finished him.

This win takes Nick Osipczak to 2-0 in FX3.

"Absolute Adrenaline: Night At The Opera" saw Jeff Lawson facing Swedish fighter Joakim Engberg in the main event. The fight was a titanic one round struggle between two of the best grapplers in Europe which had the audience transfixed as the action swayed one way then the other for the duration of the bout.

Lawson got the action started by bringing the swede to the canvas with a stunning scissor throw. Once grounded, it was clear both men were equally skilled on the ground as the upper hand swung constantly between the two fighters. It seemed that either man may be submitted at any time.

First Lawson was caught in an armbar which he escaped. Then it was Engbergs turn to muscle his way out then back into position for a triangle choke. Lawson lifted Engberg and slammed him to the canvas several times forcing Engberg to switch to the arm bar when Lawson pulled himself free again. An exchange of ground and pound between the two opened the fight up again before Lawson switched his body weight, moving for the leg. Securing his position, Lawson got the knee bar eventually forcing Engberg to tap.

Jeff, how did you remember the fight going?

"We started with a bit of a standing trade off, then I did the scissor throw into an attempted heel-hook. After a bit of forward and backward punching we ended up standing again and he took me down into mount for ground and pound which I escaped trying my own armbar. Then he attempeted two of his own which I slammed him for and switched into the knee bar............. very touh guy though I thought I was a gonner at one point!"

Yet another excellent win for Jeff adding another 'W' to his already impressive record.

From an email from Oli

After a few weeks of training and some road racing it was time to get back to it and put a number plate on again at the 5th round of the World Cup at Fort William in Scotland.

The training had gone really well and I thought the legs were good and it all started well as I moved from my 20's gridding into the front group of 12 after lap 1. The group stayed togther for a few laps then blew apart on lap 4 and I got caught in a bad place and missed the split and was in the second group.

On the next 3 laps the old legs were still good and I moved through a few guys and starting the last big climb was in 6th and chasing the podium only 20secs away. But it was not to be and on the long flat run in I was caught by 3 guys who then beat me up in the last 500m and I ended up 9th.

But this is a personal best in a World Cup and equals my best ever 9th at the 2005 Worlds, so all good and to do it at my home World Cup with all the Brit supporters made it even better.

Next up is the World Champs in Italy in 2 weeks time and with good form things are looking good.

Oli

Ross Pearson stormed to yet another impressive victory on Saturday night, successfully defending his MMA Total Combat International Lightweight title against Frenchman Cedric Celerier.

Ross knew his opponent would want to take the bout to the ground so was happy to keep things standing up where his oppenent was uncomfortable. A strong clinch from Ross saw him issue a series of powerful knees to Celerier's stomach before breaking off to throw a hard straight right that floored the Frenchman. Pearson, in his furious and unrelenting style, stormed in to put an end to the contest with a flury of heavy shots forcing the referee to step in and call an end to the contest.

Congratulations to Ross!

Paul has just returned from a training camp in Portugal in preparations for the beginning of his race season which starts on June 3rd in Malmo, Sweden. The training camp went very well and Paul is feeling confident as the opening race edges closer.

Paul's June race schedule is as follows:

June 3 Malmo, Sweden 100m

June 6 Oslo, Norway 200m

June 12 Ostrava, Czech Republic 200m or 300m

June 21 Tallinn, Estonia 100m and relay (Irish team)

Best of luck to Paul!

Six London Irish players have been named in the England Senior and Saxons squads announced this week by the Rugby Football Union.

Nick Kennedy (pictured left), Topsy Ojo, David Paice and Peter Richards are included in the England Senior squad for the tour to New Zealand. Steffon Armitage and Paul Hodgson are in the England Saxons squad for the Churchill Cup tournament in Canada and the United States.

London Irish captain Bob Casey has been named as part of the squad to face the Barbarians on May 27th at Kingsholm and will be captaining Ireland A in the Churchill Cup.

On Wednesday Warren Gatland announced his Wales squad for a two test tour of South Africa in June, with Warren Fury claiming his spot after attending training camp in Ireland last week.

The Lightweight belt was strapped to the waist of Sunderland's Ross Pearson after he armbarred teak-tough Irishman Aidan Marron in the third round of a gripping battle.

Pearson was like a man possessed from the start, getting the fight to the ground and switching from Marron's guard to side control before mounting and raining down blows on the EFR team member.

Despite rolling out of a number of rear naked choke attempts and frustrating Pearson, Marron found himself back in trouble in round two, mounted again and giving up his back, eating some heavy shots and struggling to regain his feet at the end of the round.

The writing was on the wall for the Irishman early in the third round when he was taken down and again fed some harsh punches by Pearson who transitioned slickly, took the arm and forced the submission.

Source: www.fightersonlymagazine.co.uk/news

From an email from Oli

The 3rd race took place in Madrid, in the Casa de Campo park 2 km from the city centre. The course is fast with small steep hills and been close to the city gets about 30,000 spectators most of whom are loud, crazy spaniards.

The week since the last race had gone well and I had recovered well so things were sweet come race day.

The race was mental and started fast and never let up, after 3 laps there was a front group of 25 riders and I was sat happy in there, but knew it was going to kick off. On lap 4 of 7 the big guns fired and it was in bits. I was suffering a bit in the 28degress heat but kept it together despite a high speed 2 wheel wash out crash and hung in there for 19th place.

Next up is a National series race in Scotland this weekend, then I am off to the Alps with team mate Adam Craig for 2 weeks to get ready for the WC in Scotland and the Worlds which are both big aims this year.

Thanks for the support

Oli

“We want to be part of these occasions, we will be back,” that was Bob Casey’s promise to the friends and supporters of London Irish not just in this country but across the world after this pulsating Heineken Cup semi-final with Toulouse at Twickenham yesterday.

The club captain’s comments will resonate with all those that have followed the Exiles on their journey in this season’s premier European tournament. The wide green sward of rugby union’s headquarters was a fitting amphitheatre for London Irish to show that after 110 years of competing against many great clubs, it had “come of age” in a European context. In holding their own against the mighty Toulouse, the aristocrats of the game in the Northern hemisphere, the Exiles proved that they deserve to compete at this level.

Yesterday’s performance lacked for nothing in terms of belief and commitment, but for a number of key decisions in the second half in particular, the Exiles “might have nicked the result” as Forwards Coach, Toby Booth said afterwards.

That Irish competed so well throughout the 80 minutes reflected the progress of the squad over the past three seasons under Brian Smith, Toby Booth and Mike Catt. The fact that the players were still going strong at the end also reflects the exceptional impact that Allan Ryan, Head of Strength and Conditioning, and Tony Stanger, Speed and Skills Coach, have had this season.

Those people who had the privilege of being at the stadium in April 2002 for the Powergen Cup Final will have had their memories of that day echoed in the pre-match ambience not just in the immediate vicinity of the stadium but also such diverse places as Waterloo Station, Richmond and many towns throughout theThames Valley.

A beautiful, spring day provided the perfect background for the good humour and hospitality that pervaded the stadium’s car parks. An ambience that was enhanced by the travelling Stade Toulousain supporters who brought their distinctive “bon homie” to the occasion.

London Irish started the day with messages of support from far and wide among them many Munster fans enjoying a “rugby fest” weekend taking in both semi-finals. The players and management of Reading FC sent their good wishes as did the London GAA. Among others was special message from Terry Wogan in his capacity as Honorary President of the London Irish supporters Club.

That fund of goodwill was to prove invaluable in the early exchanges as both teams probed for early weakness. There was an understandable anxiety in the passing. As for the set pieces, Referee Lewis was determined to police the scrum his way and the lineout was proving to be very competitive.

Irish showed commendable ambition in running the ball at Toulouse but met a resilient defence in which Yannick Jauzion was outstanding. He was at the vanguard of a defensive line that repeatedly hunted the Irish ball carriers down and forced turnovers. Full back Cedric Heymans and right wing Maxime Metard also posed a real threat.

The Exiles defended well with Topsy Ojo making one great save when he seized a clever chip behind the defence by Juazion. The pressure told and Irish were forced into conceding a penalty in the tenth minute which Jean-Baptiste Elissalde kicked successfully. Five minutes later Peter Hewat levelled the score with a well taken penalty from 30 metres in front of the posts after Toulouse were penalised for killing the ball.

In levelling the score Irish found renewed belief in their ability to compete, with the encouragement of Bob Casey the forwards competed selflessly at the breakdown and the backs never gave up in their efforts to take the game to their distinguished opponents.

This “never say die” approach paid off in the 21st minute. After a number of attacks had failed the ball was passed to Sailosi Tagicakibau on the left. He used his strength to progress up the wing before Topsy Ojo appeared on his right as if by magic! Ojo had come off the opposite wing and with a devastating burst of speed danced his way through two tackles to touchdown left of the posts. Hewat added the extras to give Irish the lead going into the second quarter.

Stung by the score Toulouse immediately set about redressing the situation. With their half back pairing of Byron Kelliher and Elissalde orchestrating affairs to more telling effect they began to create chances. The Irish defence was exposed on more than one occasion and it took a combination of brave tackling by the Exiles and errors by the French to prevent a try being scored.

Toulouse’s first try finally came in the 34th minute and originated in another Elissalde-Jauzion combination in mid-field. They created the pace for the former to feed Maxime Metard who made space for Manu Ahotaeiloa to score in the right corner. Elissalde failed with the touchline conversion.

There was no relief for Irish as the half-time interval approached. In the 38th minute Toulouse won a lineout on the Exiles’ five metre line. Yannick Nyanga won the ball and dropped into a driving maul from which William Servat emerged to touch down for his team’s second try. This time Elissalde’s conversion sailed between the posts to give his team a 15-10 lead at the break.

Irish knew that it was going to be important to reassert themselves from the re-start and set about moving the ball in the style that Toulouse would have been proud of. Their enterprise was rewarded after just four minutes when Shane Geraghty combined with Peter Richards to move the ball from right to left across the field. Richards passed to Sailosi Tagickakibau who was tackled by two Toulouse defenders. Not for the first time this season did the Samoan international’s power and pace deceive defenders, on this occasion it was Metard and Jauzion, as he sped down the wing to score on the left corner. Hewat missed the difficult conversion but with the score at 15-15, the thousand so Irish supporters felt renewed hope as they noisily encouraged their team.

With the half only five minutes old it was going to be vital for Irish to hold their nerve in the face of the inevitable onslaught from the French. The referee’s decision to penalise Faan Rautenbach for coming into the side of a ruck appeared harsh but Elissalde kicked the penalty to restore the lead. Worse was to follow just a minute later when the outstanding Ojo found himself isolated with the ball and was forced to concede a penalty for holding on. Once again Elissalde extracted crucial points with his penalty kick.

With twenty minutes to go and with only one try in the difference Irish believed that the game was there for the taking. There was no sign of tiredness as they bravely took the game to their distinguished visitors whose captain Pelous with his fellow second row Patricio Albacete continued to be more than a match for Irish’s Casey-Kennedy combination.

Taking to the Twickenham stage as to the manor born, Topsy Ojo once again lit up Irish’s hopes with a mesmerising run over 50 metres through mid-field only to be stopped by a finger-tip tackle by Jauzion.

Irish had an opportunity in the 65th minute to snatch back three points when Toulouse were penalised for offside. Unfortunately Hewat’s kick from 48 metres drifted just right of the right post.

As Toulouse introduced replacements as the team tired, Irish maintained the pressure. Shane Geraghty broke through midfield in the 72nd minute. As he raced clear he decided to take one last tackle before passing, unfortunately it proved to be the wrong option and the Toulouse defence recovered.

The French regained the initiative and used their experience to begin to run down the clock. Irish regained possession in the final minutes and launched another wave of attack. However, the French defence held out and the final whistle brought them the place in the final at the end of May.

And so this season’s great European adventure for London Irish came to an end. The team and its exceptional supporters have travelled through France, Italy and Wales on a great journey. Much has been learned that will be put to good use in this great European club rugby tournament in seasons to come. After yesterday’s game, speaking for all the management of the club, Brian Smith said “how proud he was of the team and the playing squad.” Losing to the best club team in Europe is something to be proud of and the warm and enthusiastic response of the thousands of supporters at Twickenham yesterday showed they believed that as well.

Source: www.london-irish.com/News

Lightweight prospect Ross Pearson continued his winning ways by defeating one of the UK's most infamous and entertaining journeymen, Sami Berik.

In just under a minute of mayhem, Pearson managed to get the take down and claim the vacant belt via triangle submission.

Source: www.fightersonlymagazine.co.uk/news

There can be no question that Irish deserved the victory, they dominated possession for long periods and fronted up to the Catalan team in every aspect of the game. Pre-match discussion of the physicality that the visitors would bring proved accurate however Bob Casey and his team refused to be intimidated and matched their opponents in every aspect.

The announcement that Peter Hewat was Sky Sports “Man of the Match” prompted much discussion among the large media contingent – this was not to take anything away from the Australian’s claim to the title but only served to highlight the number of potential “Man of the Match” performances throughout the Exiles team. Other candidates included Bob Casey and Nick Kennedy for their demolition of the Perpignan lineout, Declan Danaher and Steffon Armitage for their work at the breakdown and in defence, and Seilala Mapusua for a text book example of midfield play in the modern game.

Percy Mongomery had a 100 per cent record when it came to place kicks. He opened the scoring in the 5th minute when Topsy Ojo was penalised for a high tackle. The score came against the run of play as Irish had opened proceedings with wave after wave of attack that made their intentions clear. The repertoire of inter-passing and off the ball running was entertaining for the large home support. The only disappointment was that it was not rewarded by any scores as the visitors’ rush defence proved resilient.

Irish’s first score came in the 22nd minute when Henry Tuilagi was penalised for killing the ball as Irish launched another attack. Hewat made no mistake from 35 metres to the left of the posts. Three minutes later a break out of defence by Irish highlighted by the speed of Sailosi Tagicakibau pressured the visitors once again. Scrum half Chris Cusiter was penalised for not releasing and Hewat slotted penalty number two from 45 metres in front of the posts.

Montgomery levelled the scoring two minutes later after a drive by flanker Ovidiu Tonita took play into the Irish half and the home team were forced to concede a penalty.

Just on the half-hour came the first decisive moment of the game. A soaring Nick Kennedy stole another Perpignan lineout, the ball was recycled right to Mapusua who drew the defence and went to ground, then came a characteristic dig-out of the ball by the excellent Paul Hodgson. He passed to Catt who floated a beautifully judged cross-field kick to the left. The indefatigable Declan Danaher was one of three Irish players racing onto the kick, he beat the lone defender to the ball and crashed over for the try. Hewat’s conversion drifted narrowly wide.

Catt left the field with a leg muscle injury and was replaced by Shane Geraghty as the game continued to ebb and flow into each team’s territory. In the 35th minute irish were slow to react to a quick throw-in at a lineout on their left. The Catalans whisked the ball through midfield and found left wing Adrian Plante speeding along the touchline. Just as he appeared to have beaten the defence, the human dynamo that is Paul Hodgson made another of his outstanding tackles and prevented the scoring of what might have been a crucial try. Instead Referee Roland called play back for an earlier penalty offence and Mongomery kicked his third of the game to leave the score at the interval 11-9 to Irish.

There was little to choose between the teams during the opening minutes of the second half. Perpignan tested the Irish defence with their first serious rolling maul of the game but it stuttered to a halt thanks to the resistance of the Exiles’ outstanding tight five. Such was the sensitivity of the way the game was balanced and the physicality of the contest that the feeling persisted that the next score could prove decisive.

Irish’s efforts to orchestrate that score stepped up. A series of brilliant kicks for touch by Peter Hewat forced Perpignan to turn back and defend lineouts inside their half. Their appetite for this set piece lessened as the half unfolded as Casey-Kennedy with the help of Phil Murphy continued to wreck havoc on the visitors throw-in, eventually they were forced to rely on short throw-ins to the front of the lineout.

Meanwhile a combined assault by Steffon Armitage and Topsy Ojo forced Tonita to concede a penalty for not releasing in the 54th minute. Hewat struck the ball cleanly from 35 metres out just to the right of the posts and stretched Irish’s lead to five points.

Perpignan then made one back row and two front row replacements, the latter included Perry Freshwater. The Exiles maintained the pressure and two minutes later Nathan Hines was penalised for kicking the ball out of Hodgson’s hands at a ruck. Hewat extracted the maximum price from the resulting penalty b sending the ball between the posts from 30 metres.

Delon Armitge made a welcome return to action after injury when he took over from Gonzalo Tiesi in the 58th minute. Hewat continued to give Mongomery a masterclass in tactical kicking as the game moved into its final quarter. In the 62nd minute Freshwater was penalised for not binding at a scrum just inside the Perpignan half. Hewat stepped up and kicked brilliantly from 48 metres to stretch his team’s lead to a crucial two scores.

The visitors mad a further series of replacements in a final throw of the dice. But the home crowd sensing the significance of the moment raised their voices, drums and trumpet to encourage their players. Under Captain Casey’s guidance Irish took control and gave a demonstration of possession rugby as the ball was recycled time and again by the hard-working pack.

When the ball was released to the backs there was the outstanding Mapusua creating problems for the Catalans’ defence. When they had to defend Irish showed no lessening of their appetite for the contest and one big hit on the huge Henry Tuilagi reverberated through the stadium!

Realising that the game was slipping out of their reach, Perpignan pressed Irish to defend which they did bravely determined not to concede a try or a penalty. In the final five minutes Peter Richards was welcomed onto the pitch as he replaced Delon Armitage at outside centre. Irish made a final substitution bringing on Richard Thorpe for Faan Rautenbach in the 78th minute, this resulted in the final scrum of the game being uncontested.

In the final minute Perpignan’s blindside flanker, Vaki let his frustration get the better of him when he threw a punch at Steffon Armitage after he had been tackled into touch. The Tongan international earned a red card for his trouble. Bob Casey had the pleasure of kicking the resulting penalty into touch to finish the game and let the crowd begin their celebration of an historic victory.

Scorers: London Irish: Try: Danaher (30). Penalty goals: Hewat 5 (22, 25, 53, 56, 62). Perpignan: Penalty goals:Montogomery 3 (5, 27, 37).

Source: http://www.london-irish.com/News

Nick Osipczak impressed the crowd with a very mature debut performance against experienced local brawler Brendan Flannigan. Osipczak threw a pair of hard right hands before taking the fight to the floor with a superb takedown from the clinch.

Once grounded, Flannigan looked short of answers. Osipczak strung together a series of heavy punches that gave the referee no choice but to step in after only 75 seconds.

Source: www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=11831